It was one of those nights that claimed its displays of both good and evil. A tired soul walked past a couple of guys perpetrating atrocities under a tree on his way to the tennis court. His destination was saturated with an atmosphere filled with cries of fellow crusaders. Every night he would come, like a sheep in obeisance to his shepherd, for the nourishment derived from green pastures. Once he crosses the dangerous bushes, his heart would find such soothe as his feet felt the coolness of graveled grounds.
Samuel would walk the first two courts before stopping at the third. He would lie down on the gravels and use his slippers as pillows. Many crusaders would walk by, pause for a second and stir at the absurdity of this fellow countryman before walking away with a disapproving nod.
After a while of intense prayers, the Shepherd came to visit along the courts' garden. The first stop He made was by a young crusader who had rested on the wall in slight slumber.
“Dear sheep of mine,” said the Shepherd, “where would you seek to lay down?”
The young crusader stirred and replied, “Master, set my feet on easy grounds were solace is not what is sought for but wherein lies in excess; where I no longer twist and turn in the beds of life seeking comfort where there is none.”
“Son,” replied the Shepherd, “why haven’t you asked me for the very thing that provides sustenance to your weary soul? Why doesn’t your spirit thirst for the soothing waters that streams from wellsprings of life? Why doesn’t your existence hunger for the feeds that give strength to the many sheep? Wait a while here. Let me ask your brother and find out his desired pasture.”
The Shepherd moved closer towards the tired soul that found rest on prickly grounds.
“Dear child, why have you found peace on such bristly surfaces when your brother rests his back on Jericho walls?”
Samuel, the tired soul, stirred from his slumber. “I have sought solace before in places of human rest and found my soul robbed of calm; I have once rested on the Jericho walls, in pride and wealth, but have suffered a lasting wound as the wall came crushing down my back. My feed is to eat from the bare shrubs that scantily grow on the dry earth and I have now found solace in the prickly grounds of life’s persecution, derision and scorn. Master, I beseech thee, let me dwell in the sanctity of thy Truth for therein lays liberty.”
The Shepherd called the young crusader and declared: “You have asked me for easy grounds. Well, here they are. Lie beside your brother and learn;
You asked for beds of rest. Well, don’t look far. Lie beside your brother and yearn.”
He then turned to Samuel and said, “Come my child. You now fully understand what it means to abide and be faithful in all things. Come. Lie down in green pastures, for the grounds you stand up from is now your former pastures. I have lain with you, the whole time, and will always be with you.”
Samuel looked up as the young crusader joined him on the floor. He looked unto his master and said: “Master, I beseech thee, let me stay with my brother, for surely we travel the same course and therefore will lay in green pastures together. I have come to realize that your never-ending provisions abound even on prickly grounds. Pls hear my request and grant the desires of thy servant's heart.”
The Shepherd looked at him proud to have a sheep like this in His camp. “Then I shall watch over you as always in case the enemy tries to rob you of your joy for I am the Lord who watches, the Lord who saves.”
“…for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.” – Phil 4:11b
No matter what I go through, my heart still speaks that God's grace affords providence in all things. Whatever situation I find myself, I regard all as my green pastures
… He makes me lie down in green pastures.
The prisoner of Christ
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